Cupcake shops help satisfy sweets cravings

If the number of cupcake stores is any indication, San Diegans
have a serious sweet tooth. Most places have opened in the past 12
months, but a few have been on the scene for longer. No matter the
age, these cupcakeries keep churning out sweets for loyal
customers.

Elizabethan Desserts

Tucked away inside Sunshine Gardens nursery in Encinitas,
Elizabethan Desserts fills its cases with sugary delights,
including regular-size and mini cupcakes. Some of the offerings are
Cot-n-Kandy (pink cotton candy buttercream with pink velvet cake);
Colin's Peanut Butter Wag (chocolate cake with peanut butter
buttercream, dipped in milk chocolate); The Mustachio (white
chocolate pistachio cake with pistachio buttercream and a chocolate
moustache); The Elvis (banana cake with peanut butter buttercream,
drizzled with marshmallow caramel and peanuts); and more. Cupcakes
come in regular and mini, and some flavors are available in
jumbo.

Elizabethan also offers pies, cookies and other bakery
specialties. The store is small, and guests can get a peek at the
bakers working their magic while placing orders.

155 Quail Gardens Drive, Encinitas

www.elizabethandesserts.com or 760-230-6780

10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday

Sprinkles

The one that started it all has opened a location in La Jolla.
Sprinkles, which is said to have opened the first cupcake bakery in
Beverly Hills, now has locations across the U.S., with plans to
expand to other countries as well. Rotating flavors include Black
And White (Belgian dark chocolate cake with vanilla frosting); Chai
Latte (spiced chai tea cake with chai-vanilla frosting); Chocolate
Marshmallow (Belgian dark chocolate cake with marshmallow cream and
bittersweet chocolate ganache); and perhaps the most popular, Red
Velvet (Southern-style light chocolate cake with cream cheese
frosting).

Chances are, there will be a line out the door of this small
storefront location. Cakes are baked fresh, and diminishing
supplies are quickly replaced by fresh batches of cupcakes. Check
out the website for the day's flavors.

The Shops at La Jolla Village

8855 Villa La Jolla Drive, La Jolla

www.sprinkles.com or 858-457-3800

9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Sunday

Cute Cakes

The small storefront is a hidden gem in an Escondido strip mall.
Cute Cakes may be better known for its decorated cakes (think
detailed, fondant-laced creations), but cupcakes are available in a
display case inside the brown-and-pink decorated store, along with
pretzel sticks, cookies, cakes and more. Cupcake flavors include
Pumpkin, Classic Vanilla, Deep South Chocolate, Marble, Strawberry,
Banana Nut, Carrot (the store's signature flavor), Lemon, Virginia
Apple, Pear and Red Velvet.

There are a couple of tables inside for guests to enjoy their
treats, and to-go boxes are also available. Cute also won Star
94.1's contest for San Diego's Top Wedding Cake.